Ask the Mayor: What’s That Smell in Kā‘anapali

Maui Now stock photo, Dec. 2016.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at [email protected], 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High Street, 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mayor:

Q: Is there anything that can be done about the horrible sewage smell in Kā‘anapali?

A. I passed along your observation to the Department of Environmental Management, and our wastewater chief and superintendent checked for a smell but did not detect anything.

The supervisor at the Lahaina treatment plant was notified of the complaint and instructed to report any odors when conducting daily pump station maintenance, but they have not reported anything.

An engineer was also sent out last week to check one last time but he did not smell anything. He spoke with a resident who lives across the street and normally calls him when the smell is bad, and she said there hasn’t been any smell lately.

Could you be more specific about the location, days/times you have noticed this smell?

Last time there was a similar complaint, it turned out to be a stormwater catchment pond with stagnant water that needed to be pumped out, which Parks and Public Works Department got done very quickly once it was brought to their attention.

Any additional details would be greatly appreciated, so staff can investigate. Mahalo.